Food System Change Coordinator

(This position has been filled)

Collective Roots is growing! We are happy to announce the availability of a new full time position: Food System Change Coordinator

Position Summary
Collective Roots is seeking a highly organized, self-motivated individual to work in the exciting field of food systems change. The successful candidate will be an effective and diplomatic leader with initiative, creativity, and an understanding and passion for social justice and food security principles; an adept public speaker with strong outreach, organizational, networking, marketing, and project management skills. The Food System Change Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing all aspects of the Food System Change Initiative of Collective Roots, a non-profit whose mission is to engage youth and communities in food system change through sustainable programs that impact public and environmental health. This job will involve extensive community organizing, networking and programming, involving schools, churches, government agencies, health providers, and community based organizations in the work of creating food system change through a process of action learning, creative collaboration, and health promotion.

The Food System Change Coordinator is accountable to the Executive Director of Collective Roots and will have primary responsibility for developing and executing a Food System Change Plan.

Organization Description
Collective Roots is a non-profit organization based in East Palo Alto that employs a highly collaborative methodology for accomplishing work in four key program areas: garden based learning, food system change, environmental action, and youth development.

Currently, the organization is based at East Palo Alto Charter School (EPACS) where 400 students and their families are learning the links between human and environmental health through the cultivation of a school-based organic garden that is nearly an acre in size. Collective Roots has developed a unique approach to integrating environmental science, nutrition, and food system change into the core curricula for kindergarten through eighth grade students. Collective Roots educational programs aim to encourage healthy lifestyles, leadership skills, stewardship of the land, and a stronger sense of community.

During 2007-2008, Collective Roots expanded its work into the community, starting a community based farmers’ market in East Palo Alto. We are looking for a candidate who shares our enthusiasm for the opportunity to grow this organization and bring its values to a larger number of students and community members.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the Executive Director (“ED”) to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for Food System Change that includes funding and financial elements, programmatic goals, partnerships, and staffing
• Support the management and operations of the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market (EPA-CFM) (market is open every Sunday afternoon – year round). Recruit local farmers and process required documentation for certification. Complete scheduled reports and meeting minutes.
• Create and implement an EPA-CFM marketing plan and conduct activities and presentations to increase attendance and community participation at the EPA-CFM.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the EPA-CFM business plan
• Collaborate with EPA.NET, the Get Fit EPA Collaborative, the EPA Health Roundtable, and other organizations interested in the farmers’ market. Negotiate Letters of Support and Memoranda of Understanding with participating partners (community based organizations, schools, health care providers, etc.) as needed.
• Establish a mailing list (email & snail mail) that will be used for quarterly distributions of information relating to the farmers’ market and food system change.
• Develop and implement multiple strategies for creating food system change,for example: improving the quality of food in the local school district, creating and supporting a backyard gardener network, establishing school based gardens and food system change programs, establishing a community garden, and investigating the formation of a community land trust.
• Provide weekly and monthly updates to the ED and assist with farmers’ market grants and budget reporting
• Participate in Staff and Community meetings, and support the Board of the EPA-CFM
• Perform general administrative duties
• Travel as needed to professional conferences and workshops

Fiscal Support

• Contribute to creating and implementing fund development plans that supports ability to achieve mission and further expand food system change work
• Assist in developing and growing an annual budget supporting food system change Manage program related finances and outcomes. Responsibilities include: grants management (achieving results), fulfilling budget requirements, and generating monthly and annual financial/program reports
• Cultivate positive volunteer and donor relations through e-mail/phone correspondence, grant writing and program visits

Program Supervision and Evaluation

• Evaluate programs on an on-going basis by collecting evidence of learning and systems change, and prepare reports to the ED and funding agencies as required
• Supervise and evaluate staff, volunteers, and student interns associated with the Food System Change Initiative
• Train, evaluate and develop the skills of other staff, students, interns and volunteers, coordinating their work plans
• Community Development and Relationship Building
• Develop and maintain relationships with funders, key political and community partners, and our primary collaborators – community based organizations, health providers, and partner schools – to strengthen food system change and build a base of potential supporters and donors
• Support the ED in communicating the organization’s vision and mission to stakeholders through our website, newsletters, and community based media channels
• Along with the ED, serve as spokesperson for Collective Roots to the community, media, and potential donors
• Maintain communication and strong working relationship with the ED

Qualifications
Combination of training and work experience matched with a Bachelor or Masters degree in a field relevant to the work of food system change.

Experience
At least five years successful work experience demonstrating outstanding leadership capacity. Demonstrated track record of successful collaboration and community building, and social change. Previous community development, not-for-profit program management, food system change, or teaching experience is a plus. Knowledge of nutrition issues, environmental education, and/or sustainable agriculture also desirable.

Skills
Strong leader who motivates others to participate. Strategic thinker who envisions the “big picture” and can move the organization and community served into the future. Entrepreneurial and energetic. Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills including negotiating, coaching, consulting, and influencing others. Ability to form productive relationships with diverse groups of students and families. Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

Compensation
Salary is commensurate with experience. The position is full-time; work on Sunday afternoons and one Saturday morning per month is required. Medical benefits are included after successfully completing an initial period of evaluation (3 months).

Equal Opportunity Employer
Collective Roots is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such we value diversity and actively solicit qualified applicants from all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Our board-adopted policy prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

To Apply
Send resume and cover letter, attention to Wolfram Alderson, Executive Director, at jobs@collectiveroots.org. Deadline for Applications: August 15, 2008. Please submit (attach) resume and cover letter in MS Word or PDF (preferred) ONLY. Place “Food System Change Coordinator” in the subject line of the email. No phone calls please. This position is funded for 2 years and will require the candidate to be ready to begin full time employment as early as possible.